A woman from Limestone County has been arrested and charged with capital murder in connection with the tragic death of her infant child. The incident unfolded early Friday morning, shortly after 12:30 a.m., when authorities received a medical emergency call regarding an infant at a residence located on Estate Drive in Athens.
Upon their arrival, deputies discovered an unresponsive infant who had suffered severe injuries indicative of a violent assault. Despite the child showing no signs of life at the scene, emergency medical personnel managed to establish a pulse before rushing the infant to a nearby hospital for urgent care.
As the investigation progressed, law enforcement officials identified the child’s mother, Morgan Thornton, as the individual responsible for the injuries inflicted on the infant. In the course of their investigation, search warrants were executed at the residence, and a blood sample was collected from Thornton, who allegedly appeared to be under the influence at the time of the incident.
Initially facing charges of aggravated child abuse, Thornton’s legal situation escalated when the infant succumbed to the injuries, leading to the more serious charge of capital murder. She is currently being held at the Limestone County Jail, awaiting a bond hearing to determine her release status.
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